The FETer transceiver for 80m

Inspired by W2UW (now SK) I created the FETer transceiver for 80m CW. This uses just a handful of parts, but works. It only uses 14 parts all together.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/feter-80m-qrpp-cw-transceiver

Lundy - NOT amateur radio

Many years ago, I was fascinated by this remote island in the Bristol Channel. It has a long and interesting history. These days it is owned by the Landmark Trust and run by the National Trust. I think it will be safe for another 50 years. I have not been there since 1961.

In recent years the puffin population has soared as a result of rat extermination. Lundy actually means "puffin island".

See https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/Lundyisland/

Roses, Catalonia - NOT amateur radio

Roses seafront

Although we were only there earlier this week, our holiday seems an age ago! Roses, where we stayed, was a delightful place.

It seems SE Spain has had some bad floods. Luckily the weather was very good for us, as the photo shows.

So we don't forget when we get senile, I have made a blog. See https://roses2019.blogspot.com/

2m FT8

This morning I awoke at 0540z. Already 30 stations in 5 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX in the last 6 hours.

UPDATE 0807z: Already 75 stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX this morning with best DX DK4MD (1025km) on the Austrian border. Definitely a lift. Also copied an HB9.

UPDATE 1052z: 132 stations in 9 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX this morning.

UPDATE 1254z: 144 stations spotted so far today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1623z: A recent 2m 10W FT8 CQ resulted in no QSOs but was spotted by 17 stations in 5 countries.

UPDATE 1840z: A recent 10W FT8 2m CQ resulted in no QSOs but was spotted by 31 stations with best DX being GI6ATZ (479km). He nearly always spots me despite the distance and the fact I just use the big-wheel omni antenna. Even in flat conditions I seem to reach Northern Ireland and Cornwall on 2m FT8. In the last day 217 stations in 14 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX. Best DX on 2m FT8 RX is S58P (1247km).

UPDATE 2022z: A few moments ago I called CQ (10W) on 2m FT8. No QSOs resulted, but 19 stations n 4 countries spotted me with (again) GI6ATZ (479km) being the best. I was also spotted in NE Holland.

Sunspots - Sunday September 15th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=2.

Hepburn tropo forecasts

It is worth looking at the Hepburn tropo forecasts for the next few days. Looking at this, the next few days look quite promising in NW Europe.

See http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo_eur.html

But who would want to? - NOT amateur radio

This was a Facebook memory from 2010.

"Our" windmill - NOT amateur radio

We live right next door to a fully restored windmill. The photo shows it this morning bathed in autumn sunshine. Its sails turn occasionally.

6m FT8

More in hope than expectation, I have QSYed to 6m FT8. Just a single spot to my 10W CQ by G3VIR (138km) and nothing on 6m FT8 RX so far. At the moment no Es around here.

UPDATE 1235z: Just 2 G spots so far today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1334z: Just 3 G spots so far today on 6m FT8 RX with best DX G1OJS (189km). Although there will be sporadic Es openings, the main Es season is now over.

UPDATE 1800z: Now 10 stations spotted in 2 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX today. Best DX on 6m FT8 RX was PA3PM (304km).

Church carvings - NOT amateur radio

Although some parts of our local church are almost 1000 years old, most date from the 1400s. It was designed by the same man who designed the famous Kings College Chapel in Cambridge.

High above, and usually hard to see, are some wooden carvings of animals, some of which the carver had never seen! Some of these carvings are in the photo.

MLS - something for the weekend

As usual, MLS is promoting some products.

See their website for details.

Roses-Expres (sic) - NOT amateur radio

On our recent visit to Catalonia we went on the Roses-Expres. This is actually a road train up some very steep roads. At the top the mountain the views were amazing. The first picture was on several days ago. The brochure is new.

2m FT8

I awoke early and there were no overnight spots here on 2m FT8 RX. Most sensible humans are asleep!

UPDATE 1055z: Now 4 stations in 3 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX with best DX being DL9DBF (553km).

UPDATE 1110z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ was only spotted by G8TTI (186km).

UPDATE 1855z: I just returned to 2m FT8. A CQ resulted in a local QSO with GB3CAM (13km) and 29 spots in 5 countries with my best DX being GI6ATZ (479km). Not bad for 10W to my big-wheel. On 2m FT8 RX 22 countries in 5 countries spotted just now.

UPDATE 2010z: Now 55 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX this evening. Best DX on 2m FT8 RX this evening is OZ5NM (754km).

UPDATE 2040z: I just called 2m FT8 CQ with 10W to the big-wheel. 34 spots and 3 QSOs resulted. I noticed that a station in Devon is calling a Polish station. There must be a lift. On RX 69 stations spotted today on 2m FT8 RX in 7 countries. Most of these were this evening.

2m FT8 RX today

UPDATE 2138z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ (10W) resulted in 1 G QSO and 41 spots with my best spot being by OZ5NM (754km) in Denmark. On 2m FT8 RX 83 stations spotted here today with best on 2m FT8 RX being SQ6RMA (1215km) in southern Poland. In all today 58 spots of my 2m FT8 TX (10W to the big-wheel omni).

Sunspots - Saturday September 14th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=1.

New neighbours and dahlias - NOT amateur radio

Recently we had new neighbours across the road. They planted some dahlias in their front garden and they look lovely.

Moon - NOT amateur radio

When I came home last night there was a lovely moon. This photo was taken in poor light.

2m FT8 RX FT8

Overnight I stayed on 2m FT8 RX with most of the stations spotted in the last few hours. In all, 12 stations spotted in the last 6 hours. Several  Germans spotted with the best DX being F6DXX (570km).

UPDATE 1115z: In the last 6 hours 49 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX using the big-wheel omni with best DX spotted being DL1GI (657km). This sort of DX seems to be possible every day, irrespective of tropo conditions. Quite amazing.

UPDATE 2114z:  No less than 94 stations spotted here in the last 12 hours on 2m FT8 RX. Quite remarkable considering I am just using a big-wheel omni.

UPDATE 2118z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ got 1 QSO and 39 spots of my 10W. My best spot was by OZ5NM (754km) in Denmark.

Sunspots - Friday September 13th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN is still zero. A=7 and K=3.

Late switch to 2m FT8

Quite late (about 2200z) I switched to 2m FT8 from 6m FT8. I shall probably stay on 2m FT8 RX overnight on 144.174MHz USB.

Initially, I called CQ. No QSOs resulted, but my 10W to the big-wheel omni was spotted all over the UK from Cornwall to Northern Ireland with 7 stations spotting me so far.

Interestingly, no stations spotted here yet on RX. I get the feeling that quite a few leave RXs on uploading spots to PSKreporter , but do not TX.

Rallies this weekend in Great Britain

14 SEPTEMBER 2019 (new date) : FOG ON THE TYNE RALLY

Whitehall Road Methodist Church Hall, Bensham, Gateshead NE8 4LH (at the corner of Whitehall Road and Coatsworth Road). Doors open 10.30am. Entrance is £1.50 and includes an entry for the raffle. There will be a Bring & Buy, Junk stall, RSGB book stand and many Traders. Car parking is now available. Enrolment for Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Examination courses and Morse class. Nancy Bone, G7UUR on 07990 760920 or Email nancybone2001@yahoo.co.uk.


Sunday 15 SEPTEMBER : WEST TYRONE ARC RALLY

Omagh Rugby Club, 7 Mellon Park Drive, Omagh BT78 5NE. Doors open at 11am and admittance is £3. There will be a talk in station, trade stands, special interest groups, a Bring & Buy and an RSGB bookstall. Catering and a licensed bar are available on site. A prize draw/raffle will take place. More information from Philip Hosey, MI0MSO, 07849025760, or by email to info@wtarc.org.uk.


A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/